Big Sky Times

Attorney General Austin Knudsen issued a statement in observance of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, emphasizing the importance of addressing the crises affecting Montana's tribal communities. Knudsen stated, “As a former prosecutor in Roosevelt County and now as attorney general, I have seen firsthand the impact the missing Indigenous persons and human trafficking crises are having on Montana’s tribal communities. At the Department of Justice, we remain committed to reducing the number of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in the state and I’m proud of the work we have done to find the missing, hold perpetrators accountable, and bring these issues to light. I will continue to do everything I can to prevent further tragedies.”

According to Knudsen, last year, 693 Indigenous persons were reported missing in Montana, with a 99 percent clearance rate for cases reported. Six Indigenous persons reported missing in 2023 remain missing today, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue. Missing Indigenous persons accounted for 31 percent of all missing person cases in Montana last year, despite Indigenous persons representing only six percent of the state's population based on the 2020 U.S. Census.

To combat the high number of missing Indigenous persons, the Montana Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Knudsen, launched an improved missing persons database. This database provides crucial information to the public on missing persons, including Indigenous individuals, reported by local law enforcement. Additionally, the Department manages the Montana Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force, which aims to reduce the number of missing Indigenous persons in Montana and was extended for 10 years during the 2023 Legislative Session.

The efforts led by Attorney General Knudsen and the Montana Department of Justice underscore the commitment to addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous persons in the state. The initiatives put in place aim to raise awareness, provide resources, and ultimately prevent further tragedies within Montana's tribal communities.